Psalm 103

This psalm is the medicine to yesterday's psalm. I remember a pastor-mentor of mine back in Holland who would often begin his prayers with the opening of Psalm 103. He would then, in his own humble way, pray back to God the benefits he has received. And on this Christmas Eve, it only makes sense that we would read this psalm. In the birth of Jesus, we see the redemption of the world- the consolation of humanity. In Jesus, we are lifted out of the pit and healing for the sin-sick soul can begin. The King has been born, establishing a reign that will never end and will never be overthrown. For that, I am grateful. Thank you for reading this past year.

Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year to all.

Psalm 102

On the day before Christmas Eve... what a horrible psalm to read! I'm listening to my Christmas instrumental station (the only way to truly enjoy Christmas music sometimes), and the carol of the bells is going strongly, and I'm reading a heart-wrenching lament. Can't we get back to a psalm of joy? Wouldn't that make more sense this time of year? Maybe. Maybe not.

What a lament at Christmas reminds me of is that Christmas leaves us waiting. On December 26, we are still waiting for a savior. And for some of us, we are comfortable and able to avoid much of suffering. For us, a savior is nice, but not entirely necessary. With enough power and resources, we can solve our own problems. But for most of the world, and really all of us, there are some things that we just can't fix. People will be neglected on Christmas, just like any other day. We are still hoping for the savior. Still waiting.

Yet, even in our waiting, we have the same comfort David did- that God doesn't change and God isn't limited in power to save. Let's take that comfort with us, along with our laments, into a hopeful Christmas weekend.

Psalm 101

We're back to a psalm of David, and this one sounds to me like a good way to wake up in the morning. Waking up with the praise of God on one's lips could change the outlook of our day. I've just started a new spiritual workout routine that begins the day listening for God. And while it's only been one day, I have started the day with tremendous peace and am ready to tackle whatever comes along my way.

As I read further in the psalm, I am encouraged to begin my day committing myself to staying on God's path- being on God's mission. I want to keep the evil things out of my mind and encourage the things that love God and neighbor. I want to seek wise counsel and put to silence the proud and wicked thoughts I have. Please join me today in making a commitment we can't possibly keep without the Holy Spirit- to live blamelessly today.

Psalm 100

Here is a psalm specifically designed to give thanks (it even says so in the title). So as we approach Christmas, what am I thankful for? I am thankful for many things- a good place to do ministry, friends in the community who make the winter more bearable, and many good steps I see happening in ministry. I am thankful for things even more basic- a loving spouse and two great families. Most of all, I am thankful that God has made me and I am His. So when I enter the gates today, I will be thankful, remembering all that God has done, is doing and has promised for the future. For what are you thankful?

Psalm 99

Let's be honest. There's no real trembling when it comes to God. Few people really go throughout life thinking "Am I living as though there is a God with a particular plan for the world?" Most times, we try to justify what we do through God-like lenses. We desperately want God to be on "our side," and sp we find ways to say "God's on my team." But God isn't a kid hoping we pick Him for our team. God didn't show up to Abraham trying to find someone who would praise God and worship God.

Indeed, God has a mission. Certainly, it's a mission of grace and reconciliation, but a mission nevertheless. And while God isn't hindered by human frailty and failure, sometimes it seems like it. We as Christians fall into a fairly unhealthy pattern of spending more time trying to figure out what God thinks about our priorities than what we should think of God's. Today I try to exalt God and place God's mission in the front of my mind. May we all try that today.

Psalm 98

I think we miss the term "judge" sometimes. I hear the word "judge" and I think of condemnation, rejection and other nasty experiences. Yet, in this psalm my version of "judge" gets challenged. Does it do the same for you?

I can't help but get caught up in the drum-beat of worship that echoes through all creation. God has once again brought salvation to the people, and all the earth rejoices. And we get really excited because God is coming to... judge? Argh! Run, judgment is coming! But wait, are we supposed to be excited or scared of the coming judge?

I think, because we train ourselves to think only of our unworthiness, the judge is terrifying. We register "guilty" by our names, and have seen enough episodes of Law and Order to know that we are going to be condemned. But we forget that our unworthiness, while theologically sound, is not the end of the story. The end of the story is God's glory being known throughout the earth, and God's justice prevailing. And God's justice, if we believe the prophetic visions of God's future, is of acceptance, not rejection. So perhaps, as I think of the coming judge, I don't see a black robe ready to sentence me, but the one who will change me so that I won't be guilty anymore.

Psalm 97

What a great and mysterious God there is! This God, whom the psalmist writes about, is at once knowable and yet mysterious, surrounded by darkness and yet with unmissable glory (verses 2 and 6). This God has a power that creation itself cannot ignore- mountains melt and the earth trembles. Yet this God is one who is concerned about the weak and the oppressed, and delivers them (verses 4-5 and 10).

My idols are easy to control, my idols are easy to figure out. I can tell you exactly how my idols act and what they will do (and what they will want me to do). Perhaps that is why I seek comfort in them rather than in God. My idols tell me what I want to hear, and they make life so simple. God tells me stories about seeds and debtors, God weaves narratives of the "bad people" being obedient and the "good people" being arrogant. God makes things messy and complicated.

When Jesus made things complicated, people left. And Jesus spoke to the disciples, saying "Are you leaving too?" I'm sure the thought crossed their minds. Yet Peter said "Where else will we go? You have the words of life." So, I am willing to live with a little messy and complicated because, at the end of the day, God sows light and joy into the faithful heart. Praise be to God!